Grayson has been urging nations in the Middle East to rely on their own soldiers to deal with IS terrorists. The congressman sent a letter to Middle Eastern leaders asking them to use their own forces against IS instead of letting the American military take the lead.
Right now, there is no clear plan that would lead to the military defeat of ISIS in Iraq, Grayson said at the end of last month. I think that some plan is better than no plan, particularly if it means that we could avoid U.S. military intervention. If these nations band together to create a multinational force, they could defeat IS, and they could do it without U.S. military intervention. This plan would put troops in the field who share the same religion as the local population, can (in most cases) speak the same language, and understand the local culture, rather than troops that would be perceived as a hostile occupying force.
Grayson followed that up on Tuesday. The Arab world needs to stop shirking its responsibility for defeating IS, Grayson insisted.
Despite breaking with Obama on the issue, Grayson has been getting the support of liberal groups, including being showcased by the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) PAC on Wednesday.
Alan Grayson is the most outspoken member of Congress, the PDA insisted on Wednesday. Hes a progressive champion, a lightning rod and a great friend to PDA. He leads the fights to protect Social Security, to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership and more.
Even as he breaks with Obama on foreign policy, Grayson continues to dabble in national politics, including backing liberal Democrat Ted Lieus bid for the California congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who is retiring from Congress this year.
But even as Grayson continues to wade into foreign policy and national politics, he has been ignoring his Republican opponent in November: Carol Platt of the Osceola County Realtors Association.
Platt announced on Wednesday that the two Republicans who ran against her in last months primary -- Navy veteran Jorge Bonilla and businessman Peter Vivaldi -- were throwing their support to her.
"Alan Grayson is everything that is wrong with the divisive politics of our country," said Vivaldi. He added, "I'm honored to stand by Carol and will do everything I can to assist her."
"I will do everything in my power to help unseat Alan Grayson, Bonilla said. His lack of leadership and continued negative antics are shameful -- an embarrassment to our district. I look forward to bringing our community together around Carol."
Platt decisively won the primary, which saw some infighting. During the primary, Bonilla trotted out endorsements from national pundits attacking Platt for having the support of former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Platt fired back, defending the two Republicans from the Sunshine State.
Grayson and Platt will face businessman Marko Milakovich, who is running with no party affiliation, and a write-in candidate in November.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
